AN: It's me again. This chapter has a lot of violence in it. You have been warned ;). I truly hope you enjoy the penultimate chapter of this story. It has been a wild ride, and it's only going to be even more crazy.
TOO MUCH PRESSURE
There's something inside me that pulls beneath the surface
Consuming, confusing
This lack of self-control I fear is never ending
Controlling.
- Joseph Hann
The Vampire Queen sat ridged on her usual chair at the massive table. The chamber used for holding meetings amongst the most powerful leaders of the underworld, the Dark Council, remained deadly silent. The only movement in the room came from the illuminated bowl in the center of the table. The surface of the dark colored liquid flashed with images from the world far above them. A final image appeared of a beautiful young woman screaming in agony. Angela had failed.
All eyes in the room slowly shifted away from the terrible image onto her. All eyes except a pair that had never left her from the moment she entered the room. Tiamat stood behind his sister's throne-like seat at the head of the table. He wore the slightly frayed suit and horribly colorful tie of his other identity. His cold narrow eyes followed her every move with predatory intent. The muscles in his neck remained tense throughout the little display of her daughter's failure and demise. He expected her to react.
Rahab snapped her fingers and the bowl vanish plunging the room and its occupants into a momentary darkness. Flames leaped to life on the torches hung around the room, covering everyone in a dancing orange glow. Muttering broke out among some of the demonic leadership, but Rahab silenced all with a sharp gesture. If her brother's eyes were cold steel, then her eyes burned with the heat of a thousand suns. Despite herself, the Vampire Queen quaked in her seat as those terrible eyes settled on her with malicious intent.
"Explain," hissed Rahab, her quiet voice reverberated with unknown intensity.
Refusing to show the fear entrenching itself in her very being, the Vampire Queen bowed her head in reverence. "My liege…"
Tiamat choked off her words with a clawed hand. "Skip the insincere flattery, vampire. We have no more patience for your excuses and self-serving explanations. A deal was struck between your kind and demondom. You would bring the Twice Blessed's son into our fold in exchange for a place at this table. For years, you promised us results. You pledged your life to the success of your daughter's ability to seduce the young witch. Yet she is now dead at the hands of the witch's father, and we are left empty handed. When my sister asks for an explanation, she is being facetious. I do not require excuses. I only need to hear why I should not rip your withered heart out of your chest."
The demons near the Queen scooted back in their chairs, putting distance between themselves and her. Tiamat released her from his spell. She stood up and placed both hands on the edge of the table.
"You did not tell me the true identity of my daughter's target until a few months ago. Had I known from the start, I would have prepared her for—for…" Her words faltered
Tiamat moved away from Rahab; he prowled toward her. The demons along her side of the table gave up any notion of calm and fortitude. They shimmered, blinked, or flamed out of the room. She noticed Rahab gesture and the remaining demons followed suit. The Ruler of the Underworld rose from her seat with royal grace. She petted the black asp wrapped around her forearm.
"You have failed us. You failed our maker."
The Queen retreated. "My liege, I—I—I…"
Rahab lazily rolled her head from side to side, eye closed. "I was willing to have you stand at my side as we reigned victoriously. On the day of his triumphant return, you would have been an honored guest. The vampire able to bring to him on willingly bent knee the salvation and protector of his most hated enemies. Alas, you put your trust in a being incapable of following simple instructions. I warned her not to aggravate the Halliwell brat. She foolishly believed physical pleasures could ever replace a deeper bond. In doing so, she sealed your fate."
Tiamat snapped his teeth together. He was transforming into the horrible reptilian form. His face elongated into a crocodilian snout filled with dozens of sharp teeth. His eyes became serpentine. The ring on his finger melted and covered his entire hand in a metallic sheen. The hand shifted and modeled itself into an appendage with deadly intent. Inch long talons replaced fingers. He turned toward his sister, waiting for instructions like a well trained attack dog.
Rahab gave him a feral smile. "I need her blood for the ritual. Do what you like with the body."
She turned around and vanished into the shadows. Tiamat snarled and stalked toward his prey. The Vampire Queen understood the finality of the situation. She had gained the position she held with a quick wit and a deadly intuition for her opponents' weaknesses. Those talents would be of little help in this fight. Fortunately, she had not always been a vampire. Once, she had been something else.
"Your mother died in agony," taunted Tiamat as if reading her mind.
The Vampire Queen bared her teeth. "What do you know of my mother?"
Tiamat chuckled and stopped his stalking. "She once sat in the seat you recently occupied. Shedim was foolish enough to stand against my sister. My sister used her magical essence to initiate the dark ritual your blood will complete. We only need the cursed flesh of a powerful witch. Thankfully your daughter was able to give us that much."
The Vampire Queen charged to meet the reptilian demon, screaming out curses in an ancient tongue. Fueled by rage and an instinct for survival, she run and conjured a flame in the palm of her hand. This was no fire ball but a roaring flame from another plane. She poured energy into the attack until the flame burned a brilliant white.
Tiamat leaped at her with incredible speed and agility. Murderous eyes shone from within their sockets. He reached out with his clawed hand as he conjured an athame with the other.
The Vampire Queen dropped into a slide on her right hip and brought up a shield made of pure energy, angled just right. Tiamat hit the shield like a speeding locomotive and bounced up to continue in the same direction of his leap. The shock of the collision shattered the shield, but the Queen was prepared. Screaming incoherently, she released the burning flame aimed right at Tiamat's unprotected belly.
Fire erupted in an explosion. It lifted Tiamat higher into the air, tumbling head over heels into the cavern's far wall. He hit the wall with such force parts of the ceiling cracked and fell. The Vampire Queen dodged a particularly large chunk of rock. The smell of dust, mold, and burnt flesh filled her flared nostrils.
Tiamat bounced a few more times before righting himself in a furious crouch. He wasted no time in streaking toward the vampire. As he ran his body shifted again beneath an inky veil. Gone was the massive reptilian form; he took on the more graceful and deadly shape of a half-human half-wild cat.
Still distracted by falling debris, the Vampire Queen reached out with both hands and gathered a new attack. The air stilled and crackled with unleashed potential. With one hand, she unleashed a telekinetic onslaught that lifted the massive table and heavy chairs as is they were tissue paper in a maelstrom. The wave hit Tiamat, but he battered it aside. Not giving him a moment to recover she struck out with her second charged weapon. A bolt of electricity the diameter of a small car briefly connected her fingers with his burnt chest.
Thunder loud enough to dislodge the remaining stalagmites roared and echoed in the suddenly too small room. Blood began to drip out of both Tiamat and the vampire's ears. The attack stopped Tiamat dead in his tracks. Electricity danced across his body. Smaller bolts struck the ground and walls leaving behind smoking red-hot grapefruit sized divots. The Vampire Queen dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
Tiamat chuckled and brushed aside the remaining crackles of energy. "It is truly impressive you are still standing. It must have been centuries since you have used those particular skills. Your mother taught you well."
The Vampire Queen struggled weakly to her feet. "I'll have your head."
Tiamat shrugged. "That is a wish I fail to see coming true."
He threw his previously conjured athame. The silver blade flashed briefly in mid-air before plunging into her pale flesh. The Vampire Queen let out a soft gasp and looked down. The dagger struck right between her breasts. She lifted one hand and groaned as it slowly melted away, turning into ash. Tiamat raised his hand, and she rose in agony.
He strolled toward her reverting back to his smaller human form. He straightened his brightly colored tie and pulled out a glass vial from one of his suit jacket's pockets. Withdrawing the athame, he smiled and cut her porcelain cheek with it. Blood welled up along the wound. He dragged the vial along her skin, collecting the bodily fluid.
"A pleasure doing business with you." He kissed her on the lips hard.
She screamed, and the spell broke. Pain and fear filled the last few moments of her life. In the end, all that was left of one of the most ancient vampires was a small pile of ash. Tiamat trod in the ash as he departed the destroyed room.
Piper stood in front of a small headstone, dressed in black. The cemetery was remarkably empty on the cloudy and windy day. She knelt down beside the engraved monument and laid a bouquet of a dozen white roses on the gravesite. She brushed asides the layer of dust that covered the stone, tracing the name of her youngest son. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Today marked the anniversary of Anakin's ultimate sacrifice to bring about a peace to the magical world.
"It's remarkable how little the world has changed. Good is still fighting evil. Magic is still messing with our lives. Another big bad is using us to make their bones. Annie—oh, Annie…" She broke off as her throat constricted with raw emotion.
Even after all these years, the wound left on her heart from Anakin's death was not scarred over. It pained her every day. During those last days of the war between them and Aeglaeca, they had lost so much. Even Leo's death did not sting and ache as deeply as Anakin's demise. He had been her baby. The loss of a child was a different kind of living hell.
She got back up onto her feet and looked out over the scenery. In the distance stood the mausoleum where they had buried Prue, Grams, and her mom, and on the other side of the small gravel road Pax was buried. Countless other friends and relatives lay interred in these grounds. She could spend weeks touring the graves of those she had lost to the battle against evil. She knew she never would. Anakin's grave was the only one she ever visited. Every year on this date she came here alone and promised her son she would continue to fight the good fight. This year, though, it was proving harder to make the promise.
"Mrs. Halliwell?"
Piper spun around. A man, a bit younger than Chris, stood a little ways off with his hands in his pockets. He looked vaguely familiar. The dark olive skin and slightly hunched broad shoulders tugged at the cobwebs in her mind. He stepped closer, and she could make out he had light brown eyes. He smiled showing off his teeth.
"Hello," greeted Piper warily but warmly.
The man closed the distance, reassured by her tone. He extended a hand, and she shook it.
"You probably don't remember me. It's ok. I was a friend of Anakin's, a teammate actually."
Something clicked.
"OH! Harvey?"
The man's eyes saddened. "It's Tyler. Harvey was my brother. He died a few months ago from cancer."
Piper flinched. "I'm sorry for your loss."
"He led the life he wanted to. Thank you, though."
Tyler stepped up to the gravestone and touched it reverently. "He was the most amazing man I knew, Mrs. Halliwell…"
"Call me, Piper, please."
Tyler bowed his head. "Piper. There hasn't been a day I've not thought about him. He was the type of person that changed your life by simply being there, you know? Of course you do, he was your son."
Piper nodded. "Do you visit her often?"
Tyler shook his head. "No. I moved out of the country after college. My job doesn't leave me with a lot of time to come back home. Harvey did, though. He stayed around the Bay Area. He made me promise to come and pass on his final goodbye."
"I—uh—will leave you…"
Tyler looked at her. "What happened? How'd he died? There was news coverage of the explosion. They never said why he was there."
Piper patted him on the back. "It was good to see you again, Tyler."
"Right, so…" An arrow piercing his right through his throat cut him off.
Piper caught him as he fell into her. His eyes were already lifeless; his body was limp. She let him slid to the ground as she search for their attacker. A dark figure dressed in a black trench coat stood by a nearby tree. He was pointing something at her. She flicked her fingers and froze the second arrow inches from her face. She dove for cover behind a gravestone. The third arrow ricocheted off the barrier. She popped up and gestured wildly in the direction of the tree. Something exploded and a feral cry of pain broke the eerie silence.
Piper peered around the gravestone. The tree had taken the brunt of her explosive power. Half of its trunk was fine sawdust. A large chunk of exploded wood impaled her attacker in the thigh. He was lying on the ground clutching his bloodied leg. She clambered to her feet and rushed over to the injured man. Even with his injury the man fired three more arrows in her direction. She froze each in mid-air.
Before he could fire a fourth arrow, she gestured and the crossbow shattered spraying him with shrapnel. He screamed and chucked an energy ball at her. She dodged the attack and froze the darklighter. She reached the shade of the damaged tree and unfroze his head.
"Who sent you?" she inquired.
The darklighter snarled. "Release me, witch."
Piper rolled her eyes. "Don't you know who I am?"
The darklighter glared up at her. "No."
"That's just insulting. What are you doing trying to kill me?"
Cursing in frustration, the darklighter spat at her. Piper blew up his lower right arm.
"What are you doing here?"
The darklighter yelled. "Orders," he gasped.
Piper stepped on his bloody stump and dug in her heel. "Orders?"
"Alright! Alright!" yelped the darklighter. "I was sent to kill anyone who visited that grave today. I…"
Piper blew up the darklighter before he could say another word. She pulled out one of the many vanquishing potions she carried on her person.
"Show yourself."
No one appeared.
Piper lowered her arms. "What? Are you too chicken to face me? Who sends a lowly darklighter after a Charmed One? What sort of demon are you?"
A woman's voice echoed across the grounds. "You are hardly a threat, Piper Halliwell."
Piper clutched tightly onto the potion. "Then why try and kill me?"
"As you stated, the darklighter was of no danger to you. His mission was more of a campaign of fear. I was hoping he would be able to kill a few more of young Anakin's friends before you arrived, but it is of no matter."
Piper looked down at the crumpled body of Tyler. "Come out and face me."
The disembodied voice tittered in amusement. "Are you truly ready to die, Piper? What will your precious family do without you?"
Knuckles white, Piper spun around, searching for the owner of the voice. Anger at the loss of another innocent enraged her. Fury boiled inside her from the desecration of her son's grave. This was meant to be a place of mourning and solitude.
"I won't let you hurt them."
Rahab appeared next to Tyler's body. "Such a pity, he looks like he could have been fun."
"YOU!" gasped Piper. The hair and round face gave her away even from this distance.
Rahab waggled her eyebrows. "Me."
Piper marched toward the woman with cool determination. With every step, the realization snuck in deeper. They had all been fooled. Despite all their careful planning and intense detail to security, they had failed. After a year of searching for the big bad, she had found her, and she was their next-door neighbor. "How?"
"I am very gifted in veils. Good witches are very easy to predict. A spell there. A potion here. It is remarkably easy to remain hidden in plain sight," explained Rahab conversationally.
Piper reached throwing distance and raised her hand.
"I wouldn't waste the potion, Piper." Rahab bent down, and the large snake around her arm slithered off. It curled itself comfortably on top of Tyler's body. "There is nothing there for you, my pet, but soon you will be feasting on something tastier than fairies and imps."
Piper eyed the snake. "What is it?"
Rahab straightened. "An asp of sorts."
"What do you want?"
Rahab grinned. "There has been a change in my plans. An associate of mine failed to deliver on a promise. This has left me in something of a predicament. I have been asked to leave your family for my master. The problem is I have need of your grandson."
Piper's eyes narrowed with anger. "You won't get anywhere near him."
The smile on Rahab's pale face morphed into a knowing smirk. "Oh, my dear, you will have no choice in the matter. Your sons are being dealt with as we speak. The ridiculous shaman is in another country working miracles to save your unborn grandchild. A duty, I am afraid, she will fail. Your sisters and their families have conveniently gone into hiding. There are no Elders to protect your family. Zachary will be left very much alone and with little choice."
"I'll vanquish you," hissed Piper, flicking her hands.
A golden bracelet on Rahab's forearm flashed. A hollow gong resounded across the empty graveyard. Piper flicked her hands again with more menace, a determined look in her eyes. The bracelet reflected the attack this time. The tombstone at the head of Anakin's grave shattered, showering all of them with marble pebbles and dust.
The shiny black snake hissed at the disturbance. It opened its mouth and noxious yellow fumes spread out, covering the ground like the morning fog. Every living thing the fog touched yellowed and withered. The fallen body of Tyler broke out in blisters and glowed. Rahab, sporting a few cuts from the explosion, bent down and collected the faint glowing essence into a ball.
"The soul of a virgin," murmured Rahab. "I am surprised."
Piper glowered. "Leave him alone."
Rahab petted her snake, calming it. It stopped issuing the deadly gas, but it did not settle down. Instead, it turned its attention on the Halliwell matriarch. With lightening fast speed, it struck out, growing in length and girth. Piper threw out her hands in fright. The snake froze, fangs touching her outstretched fingers.
Inhaling in shock, Rahab backed away, staring at the frozen snake. "Magic—its immune to magic!"
Piper returned the demon's earlier smirk. "Could have fooled me."
With malicious glee Piper gestured, throwing her whole upper body into the motion. The frozen serpent shuddered. A high-pitched squeal tore through Piper's ears. Dark blue flames engulfed the massive snake's body. It broke out of the freeze and thrashed violently. Burnt flesh invaded her sense of smell as she dove out of the way of its convulsing body. It crashed more tombstones and torn up the ground, leaving behind bits of fine ash. Suddenly the flames burst with renewed intensity. Blinking away the white spots, Piper saw the final fate of the asp: a pile of white ash surrounded by pale yellow vapors.
"Impossible," gasped Rahab.
"No one goes after my family," warned Piper in a deathly quiet tone.
Rahab waved her hand and the yellow gasses gathered into a dense ball. It shot at Piper who dodged it, diving behind a cracked statue of on angel. A fire ball destroyed the remains of the statue. Piper deflected the next attack with a well-timed use of her own explosive power. She could tell Rahab was being cautious. The demon was keeping her distance, circling away from Anakin's grave. Being one of the original demons, she was most likely immune to freezing. Any offensive use of magic would have to be done in much closer quarters. Her explosive power diminished with space and had already proved ineffective. Her stock of potions was also useless.
"No quipy retort?" taunted Piper, rolling behind some rubble.
Her best option for injuring Rahab was an athame, but she was not in the routine of carrying one with her. She needed a weapon. Injuring Rahab might weaken her enough for her powers to work. It was during circumstances like these she wished she had taken Phoebe up on training her in more effective hand-to-hand combat. An energy ball nearly hit her hand, leaving a large scorch mark in the grass. She glanced around her shield and spotted Rahab leveling another energy ball at her. She ducked back just in time. The debris shuddered from the impact.
Piper collected her thoughts. She could not cower forever. This demon was going after her grandson. She had to stop her. Throwing caution to the wind, Piper sprang nimbly to her feet despite her age and threw the potion. As she expected, Rahab blasted the potion out of the air, but the potion was a diversion. She ran back to Anakin's grave. Something hot zipped over her head. She reached Tyler's body and swallowed.
"Sorry," she murmured as she pulled the darklighter's arrow free.
Armed, Piper charged at the bushy haired demon. With all her might, she shoved the arrow in front of her. Rahab dodged the attack and tripped her. Piper fell to the floor and rolled over. Again she thrust her borrowed weapon at her attacker. Rahab grabbed hold of her wrist and twisted. Yelling in pain, Piper dropped the arrow.
Furious, Rahab kicked Piper. Piper curled up in pain. Rahab bent over her and unceremoniously pulled her to her feet by her graying hair. Piper watched in horror as Rahab's human features melted away. Her perfect teeth yellowed and became more predatory. Her nose flattened and turned into nothing more than slits. Scales replaced her smooth skin, and a forked tongue darted out between her bared teeth.
"You will pay for killing my pet," hissed Rahab.
Piper started to speak, but a punch to her gut force all the air out of her. She saw black for a moment. Rahab threw her to the ground. Piper crawled on her hands and knees, searching for anything to use as a weapon. Her left hand found a chunk of marble. Before she could decide to use it, a heavy booted foot crushed her hand against the marble. She screamed as Rahab ground her hand into the ground.
"My brother always said you would be the problem. The Twice Blessed was of some concern, but he is hobbled by doubt. Christopher is unremarkable aside for his intellect. As for Prue, she is a true disappointment, hiding from her true potential. You, though, you have lived through war. You lost your sister and rose above and beyond, the Halliwell Matriarch to rival even in the infamous Penny Halliwell."
Rahab kicked her in the stomach, hard enough to lift her completely off the ground. She landed back on the ground and was rolled over.
Rahab licked her pale lips. "You have proven yourself again. My brother was correct in fearing your retribution. Given the chance, you might even be able to vanquish one of us. Unfortunately, I cannot let that happen. I still need my brother for a while longer."
Rahab conjured an athame made of obsidian. She knelt down beside Piper who was still gulping for breath. Piper tried to punch her, but Rahab batted her fists aside. With a lover's touch, Rahab slid the blade under Piper's rib cage. Piper gasped. A gun fired, and Piper slipped into darkness.
Zach arrived at a silent and still Manor. His friends stood around him in various states of shock. Matt was helping nurse a wound across Sophia's eye. He sported his own collection of scratches and bruises, including a particularly nasty slash on his cheek. Andrew was helping a limping Danny into a chair. Nearby Andrew sat on the ground with an ankle double the size of the other. Michael, Richard, and Beth stood in the corner gaping at the scene before them.
Ignoring the rest, Zach carried the limp form of Rebecca into the next room. Gently he laid her down on the nearest couch. His actions were mechanical. His brain was a million miles away. Angela was Vrykolakas. His dad and uncle were fighting her. He had kissed a demon. They had slept together!
"Focus, Zach," he admonished himself.
Healing was still the toughest power for him to master. The emotional trigger came naturally to him. He had been able to make his hands glow with the warming power days after regaining his powers. The problem was the wound in his chest, a wound from Angela. Clenching his jaw together so tight he feared he might fracture a few of his teeth, he held out his hands over the motionless form of the girl he loved. The golden glow lit up his hands and Rebecca. The pain flared, taking his breath away. Sweat broke out across his brow. His whole body shook with the effort to keep himself upright. Every fiber of his being wanted him to curl up, to pass out. The pain needed to end.
Rebecca took in a sharp sudden gasp. She sat bolt upright, eye wide.
"Becks!" panted Zach.
Rebecca looked around the room wildly. "What happened? Where's Angela? What was she?"
Zach shut her up with a kiss. Smiling stupidly Zach sat back on his haunches and stared at her.
Rebecca glanced down. "What? What's wrong?"
Zach opened his mouth. "No…"
"ZACH!"
Zach toppled over in fright. "Dad?"
Wyatt ran into the room, face pale. "Go. Now! Go!"
Zach frowned, pulling himself onto his feet. "Dad what's…"
Wyatt grabbed him by the shoulders forcibly. "GO!"
"What about…"
Wyatt shook him. "Zach, we don't have time. Go. Take Rebecca and orb out of here. Go to Magic School. Go to Rebecca's house. It doesn't matter. Just go!"
Chris appeared. "They're gone. Safe. Wy, we don't have much time."
Zach glanced between his father and uncle. His heartbeat sped up and felt like it was working its way up and out of his mouth. "What's going on?"
Chris shook his head. "There's no time, Zach. Someone spotted us vanquishing Angela. It doesn't look good. The witch hunters will have been summoned. They'll ward off the house. You need to go."
Rebecca struggled to stand up. Zach caught her as she stumbled. "Why'd they send witch hunters? You vanquished a demon."
"It didn't look like that. She was completely human," stated Wyatt, breathing heavily.
Zach grimaced. "So, we can.."
"Zach, we've got it all under control. William and Jamal are on their way," said Chris hurriedly. "But you guys need to get out of here."
Zach looked up at his dad. "I can't just leave you."
"We'll be fine, kiddo," said Wyatt in an unconvincing voice. "You need to protect Rebecca. We don't know what plans are in play, but they've gone after people you care about before."
Zach took in a deep breath. In the distance, sirens began to sound. "Where are the others?"
Chris shrugged. "It's best we don't know."
Zach offered Rebecca a hand. She took it willingly. "What…"
"Go. Just go. Your grandmother will know what to do. Call her. As soon as you see our arrest on the news, call her. Then your mom. She's going to be pissed, but it's best she stay in England. I love you. Go."
Zach gave his dad a half-smile. "Love you too." He and Rebecca vanished in a swirl of orbs.
Chris stepped up to his older brother. "Mom's in trouble."
Wyatt closed his eyes, deflating. "I know."
The sirens grew louder, and the sounds of a helicopter circling overhead announced the arrival of the witch hunters.
"Do we fight?" asked Wyatt.
Chris shook his head. "This isn't like last time. They're not the enemy."
Wyatt closed his eyes. "Rahab and Tiamat played us. We've left the kids completely unprotected."
"We have the place surrounded. Come out with your hands up. Any sudden movements or speech will be construed as an attack." The megaphone distorted voice drowned out anything Chris had to say.
Wyatt and Chris shared another look, a moment of indecision. Two crossbow bolts caught each brother in the shoulder. Wyatt yelled out, but he knew it was too late. He could feel the potion take effect. He fell to the floor beside his brother, paralyzed. An older man holding a black polycarbonate fiber crossbow stood in the doorway. Adelrich Watson stood over the two fallen witches.
"Sorry, Chris, I couldn't take the risk of you guys choosing to fight," said Adelrich, and he sincerely meant it.
Sarah woke up in a cold sweat. The dream had been so vivid, the emotions raw and gut wrenching. She had the dream before; because, it was not simply a dream. It was a nightmare based in reality. She had been standing on that terrible mountain road again. She watched nameless and faceless paramedics wheel her baby passed her. The lifeless and broken corpse of Wyatt followed. She always woke before her subconscious could show her Zachary. Tonight, the dream had been darker somehow.
She sat up slowly, taking in a few deep breaths. Propping her head up with her hands, she thought over the dream. There was something different in the events. The car crash always felt accidental. This time just before her world was turned upside down lightning had flashed. A man had been standing on the side of the road, a man with strange tastes in ties. She shook her head to rid herself of the ridiculous notion.
The car crash had been a tragic accident. The other driver had lost control of his car due to an oil slick in the road. Their seatbelts had been defective. The car had gone over the edge at the exact spot the guardrail was being replaced. There was nothing sinister in the events. As terrible as they were; they were just an accident.
She checked the clock on her bedside table. It told her there was still a couple more hours before a reasonable human would be awake. Unfortunately, her dream left her fill of adrenaline. Ordinarily Wyatt could calm her down enough to get back to sleep, but her husband was half a world away. She missed her family. She missed the comforts of her home. Sighing, she slipped on a pair of slippers and decided to go make a cup of chamomile tea.
The mansion was silent and cold. Sarah followed the familiar path down to the kitchen, trying to picture a young Serena walking these halls. For all of its history, the house did not have the character she had always pictured her sister-in-law's childhood home possessing. Perhaps, it was one of the reasons Serena had spent as little time as possible here.
The light in the kitchen was already on by the time Sarah reached the door. It was not uncommon for one of their bodyguards to help themselves to tea or coffee at the end of a shift. Thankful she had chosen to wear thicker pajamas she pushed open the door and stopped dead in her tracks. The usually immaculate room was destroyed. Blood splattered the windows over the kitchen sink. The smell of cordite and smoke assaulted her nostrils. She picked up the closest weapons, a large chef's knife. Gripping tightly to her safety net, she crept deeper into the room.
The fight had been messy and destructive. It had to have been loud. The amount of bullet holes in the walls and cabinets alone spoke volumes. The roar of the gunshots should have woken her up. She closed her eyes and focused. The faint traces of spells drifted through the air like long forgotten aromas. Someone extremely powerful had been in this room, and they were not friendly.
Four bodies lay piled behind the island. Sarah clapped one hand to her mouth to muffle her scream. None of the bodies were Serena, Prue, or Kyle, but she could barely discern that much. The bodies were not really bodies anymore. They had been ripped apart. Jagged flesh and sinew were lasting reminders of the poor souls' final moments. There was no scorch mark or athame wound. Whatever creature had killed them had done so by tearing them apart. She stumbled backward into a cabinet, gagging. She had to get to her family.
Dashing back up the stairs, she made her way toward Serena's room. All the while she tried to track any trace of magic, but this demon was too skilled in the art of covert operations. It had silenced their bodyguards at the precise moment they would be the least alert to a threat. The wards around the house placed by Wyatt and Chris should have kept any demon out. Somehow this demon, she hoped it was just one demon, had slipped through the wards flawlessly.
Serena's bedroom door was still closed. She knocked twice and tried the doorknob. The metal clicked uselessly; Serena had locked the door. She knocked harder. Prue and Kyle's room was in the other wing of the house. She prayed that Prue was up to fighting the demon if it had chosen to go after its next biggest threat before coming for its prize.
The attack was not unexpected. They had all agreed Rahab and Tiamat were waging a psychological war against the family. The biggest threat to the family was the death of one of their own. The death with the most impact would be the death of Serena and Chris's unborn child. It was why she had agreed to stay in England with Serena. After the health scare, Prue and Kyle had moved in for additional protection. Clearly they had underestimated their adversaries.
"Serena!" she yelled, eyes wide and searching.
There was a crash down the hallway in the direction of the other wing. Magic sprang to life around her as the wards kicked in. Prue must have found a way to force their attacker to reveal itself. An inhuman roar rocked the foundation of the house. Sarah spun around the face the door and pounded on it. She could not force her way into the room. Chris had placed a separate ward on it.
"SERENA! WAKE UP!"
A gun went off three times. Sarah closed her eyes and shifted her focus. She spread out her awareness toward the sounds of battle. The threads of magic sang the closer she got to the conflict. She felt the familiar flare of Prue's firm determination. Her stomach clenched as the details crystalized. Prue's blaze of power stood as a single beacon outmatched by a towering seething darkness. Fear made her recoil, but she forced herself to probe its depths. Two shining malevolent eyes met her. She snapped back to outside Serena's door.
They had horribly underestimated Rahab and Tiamat. All their plans and preparations were for facing one of their captains. They had never considered the possibility of Rahab or Tiamat coming to do the deed. That creature she had sensed was too ancient to be anything else. One of the original was amongst them.
She would have called out for Wyatt. She opened her mouth to do exactly that, but the reality sunk in. If Wyatt and Chris could make it to them, then they would already be here. The two brothers were fanatical about the protection of their family. Something else was going on back home. They were alone.
Serena appeared wrapped in a robe and bleary eyes. She was getting big, and her statin-covered stomach poked out beneath the robe. "What is it?"
"Demon," hissed Sarah, pulling Serena into the hallway. She kept herself between the blonde and the general direction of where she thought Tiamat was fighting Prue.
Serena held up a massive gun. "Let them try and get my baby."
Sarah stared at the gun. "Where'd you even get that?"
"Borrowed it from one of the marines," said Serena simply. "Where are the guards?"
"Dead." Sarah avoided Serena's eyes. "We need to go."
"Go? Go where?"
Prue appeared in a swirl of blue and white orbs holding a bleeding Kyle. "That thing is a monster. Where are my brothers?"
Sarah shrugged, ignoring the sinking feeling in her gut. "No idea. What are we going to do?"
Prue opened her mouth. The scene lit up and Sarah felt herself lifted off her feet. She slammed back into something solid moments later. Her ears rung, and flashes of light clouded her vision. Groaning, she rolled onto her side and felt the sticky coolness of mud press against her cheek. She was outside. How had she landed outside? She blinked furiously, trying to orient herself. Something was burning. She pushed herself gingerly onto hands and knees. It was the mansion, and the fire was growing. She clambered to her wobbly feet. She ached all over, but nothing seemed life-threatening.
The bright flashes died, and the light from the inferno of the mansion lit up the grounds. She spotted Serena laying a few feet away. There was no sign of Prue or Kyle. She hoped they had orbed out in time. Dizzy, she walked over to Serena and dropped to her knees. She carefully rolled her friend over and found a gun barrel pointed at her face.
"Shit!"
Through the ringing, Serena's voice reached her. "It's you."
Sarah pushed the gun aside. "Yes, it's me! Are you ok?"
Serena shrugged and clutched her stomach. "Everything hurts."
"We've got to get to the edge of the property. Get passed the wards."
Serena lifted one of her hands up. It was trembling. Sarah looked at it and blanched. It was covered in blood. Her gaze followed the drips of blood and landed on Serena's stomach. A slick patch of deep red covered a good section of her powder blue satin pajama top.
"Oh my god, Ser!"
Serena balled her hand into a fist. "It's fine. It's all going to be fine."
Sarah studied Serena's determined eyes and nodded. "Can you stand?"
Serena shoved the butt of the gun into the muddy ground and used it to pull herself up, grimacing a bit. Standing, she lifted up the shirt. Sarah let out a sigh of relief. The wound looked superficial, and the bleed had slowed.
"It doesn't look too bad," she said.
Serena lowered her shirt. "Could a demon survive an explosion like that?"
Sarah followed her gaze up to the destroyed mansion. "This one could. We've got to get out of here."
Something dark, large, and muscular fell out of the sky. Tiamat in all his reptilian glory landed next to the two women. A predatory grin spread across his scaly face.
"I was hoping you would survive that. I do like killing my victims with my own hands."
Sarah pushed Serena behind herself, conjuring a fire ball. "Go back to whatever hellhole you climbed out of."
Tiamat snapped his hand and four lean and scantily clothed humanoid demons shimmered in. They surrounded the group and let out almost bird-like whoops and chirps. Tiamat scented the air with his forked tongue.
"The air is sour with fear, but my fight is not with you, shaman. Hand over the mortal, and you will be left alone."
Sarah scoffed. "The hell I will."
Tiamat shrugged and yawned. "Suit yourself. Kill her, but leave the blonde one untouched. Her death will be by my hands."
The demons charged forward only to be thrown back by a blast of energy. Prue in burnt and torn rags stepped into the center of the ring.
"Prue?" asked Serena, surprised.
Prue waved her hand, and Serena vanished in a burst of orbs. Tiamat screamed. He pulled out a vial and threw it on the ground.
"No orbing for you two. KILL THEM!" He vanished in a burst of shadows.
Sarah felt her connection to magic vanish the moment the vial hit the ground. A glance at Prue told her the potion had a similar effect on her powerful sister-in-law. She only hoped the potion stripped the demons of their powers as well.
Prue and Sarah looked to each other. A simple nod was all the other needed to understand the plan. The pair pivoted and stood back to back facing their attackers. Sarah took a steadying breath; recounting the hours she had spent training with Wyatt. Her family was pacifists; they only ever used their magic to ward and foresee the future. There had been a time when the tribe needed warriors, but it had been an age. All her offensive capabilities had bee developed under the tutelage of the Halliwells. Now was the time their training would be put to the ultimate test.
She crouched down, preparing to spring at her first attacker. The demons were apparently still getting their attack plan together. She peeked over her shoulder. She marveled at Prue posture and resolve. She could see the taut muscles of her arms straining, building pressure as if to literally explode. Wyatt had told her once that Prue was the most whitelighter out of all his siblings. She could not see that girl in the woman standing behind her. She was the picture of a steely fighter.
A demon with black hair chopped erratically and raised and ragged scars all over his face was the first to step fully into the light. He was holding a short gnarly cane. Powerful leg muscles propelled him out of the darkness, and he charged directly at her. Sarah bent low, muscles ready. The demon launched itself into the air. She shot up at it.
Another demon stepped into the light, and then a third. Prue exploded into motion, throwing herself laterally at the two. She hit the first in the face with the back of her cocked elbow, knocking it tumbling backward into the shadows. The second, she caught at the knee with a powerful kick, dropping it to the floor.
Sarah fell atop her attacker, grabbing his weapon with both hands. They trashed on the floor. She kept herself on top and drove her forearm into the demon's throat. Its eyes bulged and its moves became more desperate. It tried to buck her off its chest, but she held on with powerful thighs. For all her strength and training, this demon outclassed her in size and mass. Giving up on throwing her off, it got a hand up underneath her and shoved. Desperation drove her, and so she clung to the cane with one hand, keeping it at bay. No longer able to put the necessary pressure to cut off the demon's air supply, she switched tactics. She drove her manicured finger into its eyes. The demon shrieked in pain and momentarily forgot her. She ripped the cane free and slammed it down with all her weight on the demon's skull. There was a satisfying crunch, and the demon turned to ash.
Prue and the other demon scrambled to their feet and squared off. Then the third demon, sporting a broken nose, leaped out of nowhere. The two demons circled Prue, exchanging punches and kicks in quick succession. Prue kept her cool and her balance, taking care not to overreact. She saw Sarah struggling with her opponent but could not help her. The fourth demon was still out there somewhere. She had to end this battle quickly. The demon behind her thrust a long blade at her. She jumped forward and to the side. The demon in front of her charged forward at the same time and impaled itself on the blade. Prue landed, breathing hard but smiling. She scissor kicked the demon, knocking to the ground.
They both got to their feet at the same time. Like a snake, Prue struck, elbow flying up high, arm snapping straight. With skilled precision, the side of her hand found the demon's throat. It dropped its blade to the ground and clutched at its throat. She readied to finish the attack, but a scream made her turn just in time. The fourth demon had entered the fight. This one carried a long staff, which it used with surprising accuracy. Prue back peddled to stay out of range. Even so the demon managed to land a few stinging blows.
Sarah rushed to Prue's aid. The injured demon sidelined her, throwing them both to the ground in a ball of hard elbows and probing fingers. This demon fought like a wild cat not giving her a moment's break. Time and time again it found its target. One particularly hard punch caught her in the stomach knocking the wind out of her. The demon picked up a rock and struck down with it. Sarah threw up her hand, slowing the attack. Still the rock clipped the side of her head with enough force to make her see stars. She groped on the ground for anything to defend herself with. Her hand made contact with something hard and slippery. She grabbed onto it and swung hard. The demon went rigid on top of her. She opened her eyes and saw the demon skewer in the side by a long bloody metallic blade. She shoved it off of her as fire turned it to ash.
Breathing in gasps she crawled away. The blow to her head coupled by the concussion from the explosion left her woozy. The world slowed every second stretching for an age. She squinted, hoping to bring the battlefield back in focus. Shapes and shadows swarmed around her. Someone yelled her name, and all turn to black.
Zach and Rebecca appeared in her bedroom. Unfortunately, the room had not been empty. Both of them stared wide-eyed at the sight of her graying father. His hands balled into fists, and he reached out. Grabbing hold of Rebecca, he ripped her from Zach's arms.
"Get out of my house!"
"Daddy!"
Mr. Starling shoved Rebecca roughly out of the room. He slammed the door in her face. He drew himself to his full height and went red in the face. He took a deep breath; nostrils flared.
"Get out! GET OUT! GET OUT!"
Zach, still reeling from Angela and then his dad's announcement, blinked slowly, unfazed by the screaming. He did not even truly comprehend Mr. Starling standing in front of him. His hand spasmed around the spot Rebecca had been standing. He knew she was safe, but it still disturbed him to not feel her near. He wanted her beside him. Blue orbs brought her to him.
Mr. Starling tore at his hair. He tried to grab Rebecca again, but she blocked him. Despite her small stature, she was able to maneuver her father out of her room. The door magically sprang open for her. She closed the door behind her and glared at her father.
"That's enough, daddy!"
Mr. Starling gritted his teeth. "Get him out of this house, young lady."
Rebecca shook her head. "No. He needs to be here. There's—I don't know, but he can't go home."
"Because he's a witch!"
Rebecca shrugged. "And?"
"They're evil. Witches are evil."
Rebecca rolled her eyes. She wanted to be with Zach. "Daddy, go watch TV. Please, he won't hurt me. You know he won't. You like his dad, his family. Now you just know a little bit more about them."
Mr. Starling clutched his chest. "They're all witches!"
"Yip and they're in trouble. Zach needs somewhere to stay. He's staying here," said Rebecca in a tone of such finality her father drew up short. Rebecca let out a sigh. "Daddy, it's fine. Just—just go watch TV or something. We need to talk."
She walked back into her room and locked the door. Zach had made his way over to her unmade bed in her absence. He looked so small and lost. It broke her heart. She could not imagine what he was going through. The idea of her family being locked up or worse sent a shiver down her spine.
"They'll be ok, Zach," she whispered unsure if she should move closer or not. They were no longer a couple, and she was not sure if they were really still friends.
Zach looked over his shoulder at her. "How?"
She took a step forward, feeling decidedly awkward, wanting to rush to him and wrap her arms around him. "Gavin's parents are the best lawyers in the city."
A cold laugh left Zach's trembling chest. "They're not going to get a day in court. You saw the fear in your dad's eyes. That's what they're facing, a fear-fueled hatred. Every time my family's been exposed we've lost someone. During the last witch hunts, it was my grandfather. The time before that, the other Anakin. Then there was my great-aunt Prue. This—magic and mortals don't mix."
Rebecca frowned. "Magic's been exposed for a year now."
"No, the idea of magic has been. With the release of those records, magic was made a reality. It was no longer something people could ignore. And my family might not be on the public list, but we're on a list somewhere. They've just been waiting for an excuse to take us down. They know what we're capable of. They know. They…" Zach trailed off as the sobs strangled his voice.
Rebecca threw caution to the wind and grabbed hold of him. He did not resist as she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed tightly. He enclosed her in the familiar embrace. He held on to her tightly.
"I'm so sorry, Becks. You don't deserve this. Any of it."
Rebecca's frown deepened. "I don't deserve what?"
Zach let got and sat down on the bed. "You were attacked because of me. I—I cheated on you…"
Rebecca waved her hand. "You think I care about one kiss? Zach, I saw what she did to you. Whatever happened the last few months, it wasn't just you."
"I still can't believe it was Angela."
Rebecca cringed at the name. For all her stoicism, it did hurt that Zach had been with Angela even if it was not all purely by choice. "She's gone now."
Zach nodded. "Yeah. Well—mostly." He touched the spot on his chest.
"Is it sore?"
Zach caught her hand in both of his and placed it on the spot. She could feel the heat radiating off the jagged scar.
"It gets worse whenever I use magic. I think it uses my magic to fuel itself."
"Fuels itself for what?"
Zach shrugged. "God knows. With her gone we may never know."
Rebecca looked Zach in the eyes. "What are we going to do?"
"I need to call my grandma. My dad said she'd know what to do," said Zach softly.
Rebecca reached for her phone, but Zach stopped her.
"This isn't your fight, Becks. I can go. I can sense my cousins, now."
Rebecca pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. "Zachary Taylor Halliwell…"
"Don't call me Zachary," said Zach weakly.
Rebecca glared at him, unimpressed. "You're not just leaving me behind."
Zach rubbed the back of his neck. "You're not…"
"I may not be a witch, but that doesn't make me useless. I'm not going to be left here wondering what is going on. Not when our friends are out there. We're better together."
Zach's lips curled upwards. "I love you."
Rebecca froze. "What?"
Zach shook his head; the smile disappeared. "Sorry."
"No, what did you say?"
"I—um—er—I love you."
Rebecca grinned despite everything and kissed him hard and passionately. Breaking apart, she breathlessly said, "I love you too. Now, let's call your grandmother."
Daniel's parents' kitchen was not designed to hold so many people at once especially when each person was on their own mission. Jamal buzzed around the room barely able to see over the collection of bandages, rubbing alcohol, and other assorted first aid equipment. Thankfully the short man had been a paramedic of sorts before deciding to go to law school. He made quick work of the smaller bumps and bruises suffered by his son and Andrew. Daniel's ankle was tender but functional. Kenny had a sprained ankle and possibly a tendon rupture. He did the best he could and applied ice to it and had the teen elevate the injured leg. The major concern at the moment was the gash on Sophia's face. He also did not like the look of the wound on Matt's cheek, but the young teen refused any help until his girlfriend was patched up.
"Here, let's see it," said Jamal loudly to be heard over the rumble of anxious conversation.
Sophia gritted her teeth and removed the large washcloth she was using to stem the flow of blood. "It won't clot."
Matt bit his lip, studying a tome. "There's nothing here about Vrykolakas being poisonous. They can create nasty curses but…"
"Where's Zach?" asked Sophia. "Couldn't he just heal all of us?"
Michael and Richard looked up from their seats at the kitchen table. They had been assigned the task of tracking Zach's movements. Being the only witches not to have been involved in the attack at the school, they were not distracted by aches and pains. The brothers shook their heads slowly. Matt slammed his fist on the kitchen counter, causing everyone to jump.
"Sorry," he murmured. "Why is he hiding from us?"
Michael voiced the concern in the back of everyone's minds. "Could he have been captured?"
Matt laughed hollowly. "There's no way my dad and uncle let that happen. They'd have to be…" He swallowed hard and shook his head. "No, this is something else. Maybe he's just exhausted his reserve. He tries to hide it, but we all know that curse is still working on him."
Jamal straightened up, finished patching up Sophia. "Not my best work, but it should stop the bleeding until we can figure out something more permanent."
William walked into the room face pale. "Sophia's dad just called. He did his best, but there's someone big in Washington pulling the strings. They're being detained, pending the order for their transfer to a black site."
Sophia and Matt's eyes widened at the mention of her father.
"Wait, my dad…"
"Mr. Watson knows!"
William chuckled. "Did you really think you father wouldn't know every detail about the boy dating his daughter? Aldrich Watson is one of the most well-connected men in this city. Add to his political and CIA-generated assets the massive network of true witch hunters he leads, there was no hiding your family's history from him. Thankfully his family and Kyle's family are old friends. Kyle and his grandmother convinced Aldrich of the good magic could do."
Matt pulled his fingers through his matted hair, leaving it standing up at old angles. "This is too much."
Sophia licked her lips. "But he never said anything."
"Of course not. The fewer people who knew of his true allegiances the safer he and your family would be. Someone extremely powerful has been manipulating the government for years. This last year, they stepped up their game. We've been doing our best to ferret out who is behind the slow progression of the government-sectioned program to exterminate all good magic."
Richard spoke up. "Good magic?"
William turned to face him and nodded. "Every act of the group we've analyzed has been specifically directed at good magic. The demon attacks throughout the country and the government's heavy-handed response has been a well-directed public campaign to get the public behind more aggressive measures."
"Do you know who?" asked Richard, curious.
William's eyes softened, and he slowly shook his head. "Unfortunately, the group is good at their job. Every piece of legislation comes from a different group within Congress. No single advisor to the President is involved any every move the executive branch makes. Military leaders were a dead end. There is a conspiracy, but it's too well hidden to expose."
"Rahab and Tiamat?" questioned Michael quietly.
"Your uncle did not think so. Chris felt Rahab and Tiamat have a different agenda than quietly ruling the world with human puppets."
Matt cleared his throat. "What about my dad and Wyatt?"
William's lips thinned. "I'm about to head to the courthouse and try and get a federal injunction, but they've been declared enemies of the state."
"So we break them out!" said Matt firmly.
Jamal sadly smiled. "The government is more prepared than you think to deal with magic. They've been researching ways to counteract magic. Besides, for the moment, they appear to be following at least some course of law and order. They haven't issued warrants for your arrest or anyone else in your family. It seems they still need proof before declaring you dangerous witches. Exposure at the moment is not something you want."
Kenny whimpered as he shifted his position to better face the group. "So what is the plan?"
William and Jamal shared a look.
"What?" snapped Matt.
William worked his jaw back and forth. "Your dad, Chris, thought that Rahab and Tiamat would wait for a moment of weakness before moving against your family."
"I'd said the arrest and neutralization of the two most powerful members of your family counts as a moment of weakness," said Jamal.
Richard frowned. "You think they're going to attack us?"
Andrew coughed loudly. Everyone turned to face him. He pointed at the TV. A scene of a massive mansion played out silently on the small screen. "Isn't that your granddad's place?"
Matt narrowed his eyes and stepped closer to the screen. "Shit."
"Matt!" called out Michael, but he was too late. The teen vanished in a burst of orbs.
Richard squeezed his eyes shut. "I can't sense Mom."
Michael breath quickened. "What do you mean you can't sense Mom?"
A phone rang. William picked up his phone and left the room. The rest had their eyes glued to the screen. No one thought to turn up the volume. The destruction before them temporally rendered them paralyzed. The twins gripped each other's hand tightly.
William returned. "Jamal, I've got to get to the courthouse, but Aldrich called. His people found Piper."
Sophia was the first to snap out of her stupor. "Piper? Why was he looking for Piper?"
William ignored her. "She was attacked. Someone needs to go to the hospital."
Jamal nodded. "Go, I've got it."
William slipped passed frozen teens and hugged his husband. "Be safe."
"I will," said Jamal softly.
"Danny…"
Daniel glanced at his father with steely eyes.
William sighed. "I love you."
Daniel pulled Andrew in closer. "Love you too, Dad."
Once William left Jamal jumped into action. He left the kitchen.
"Did he say Grandma is in the hospital?" asked Michael still staring at the television. A news anchor replaced the scene of the fire.
Sophia's eyes flickered to the spot Matt last stood. "Yeah. She was attacked."
"By whom?" asked Richard tearing his attention from the useless news coverage.
"He didn't say."
Kenny sat up straighter. "Why was your dad looking for her in the first place?"
Sophia shrugged, numb. The last few hours changed everything. "No clue."
"There wasn't a warrant out for her arrest. Your dad said so," said Richard, staring accusingly at Daniel.
Andrew bristled. "Hey! This isn't his fault."
"It's no one's fault," said a quiet voice.
"ZACH!"
Zach, arm wrapped tightly around Rebecca, took a place at the kitchen table. The place exploded into a flurry of questions. Everyone spoke at the same time. Zach held up his free hand to silence the cacophony. The teens choked off their comments. Jamal walked back in and greeted the two new teens with a somber smile.
"Good you're here. I take it you know about your grandmother."
Zach acknowledged the statement with a curt head bob.
Jamal patted one of his breast pockets absentmindedly. "That makes things easier. I'm going to the hospital. This house is warded. You should be safe here."
"We need to go back to the Manor," interrupted Zach.
"Impossible. It's going to be crawling with agents."
Zach cocked his head to one side. "We need the Book. If Tiamat and Rahab attack, we need the Book."
Sophia shuddered at the coldness in his best friend's voice. "Zach…"
"This was their plan. Get us out of the house. Remove our defenders. Whatever they've been planning, it's happening tonight. We need the Book."
Rebecca squeezed his knee. "We'll be ok," she whispered.
"You need to stay in the house. I'll be back as soon as I can," said Jamal, rushed.
Zach sized him up. "Someone should go with you."
"No," said Sophia quickly. "My dad has men at the hospital."
"You mean he has witch hunters there," clarified Zach.
Sophia gulped. "Yes."
Jamal patted Daniel on the shoulder. "He's on our side."
Zach closed his eyes. "He arrested my dad. I felt it."
"Playing his part."
Zach shook his head. "And protecting my grandmother won't mess up his operation?"
Jamal sighed. "We can discuss this later. Stay here. All of you." He left.
"Can't you just orb the Book here?" asked Kenny to break the tension.
Richard answered, "It's protected against any form of teleportation. Something to do with Zach orbing it to himself all the time when he was a toddler."
Zach glared at his cousin. "Where's Matt?"
Sophia indicated the television with a jerk of his chin. "Somewhere there."
Richard spoke with a lump in his throat. "I can't sense my mom."
Zach took a deep breath and focused on the television. "That'd be because her powers were bound along with my mom's."
"How do you know that?" inquired Michael heatedly.
"Your dad called me to warn us. They're…"
Matt rematerialized with a small smile on his face. "They're ok. Told me to come back."
Zach raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"We're stronger together," said Matt with a small frown.
"Who did you talk to?" asked Zach urgently.
"Your mom…" Matt trailed off.
Zach lowered his tone. "That wasn't my mom."
"Of course it was," said Matt unsure.
"No. My mom is in surgery, so is aunt Prue."
"Surgery!" snapped the twins together.
Zach nodded. "A few broken bones and a ruptured spleen. She'll be fine. They both will. Your mom and uncle Kyle are at the hospital surrounded by two dozen royal marines."
Matt shook his head in disbelief. "But—but…"
The sky outside the window darkened.
Zach balled his hands into fists. "They followed you."
"Who?"
A powerful voice echoed inside their heads. "Come out, come out, come out. We might even spare the mortals."
Rebecca gripped Zach's hand. He looked down at her. "Stay here."
"Zach…"
The intensity of Zach's stare silenced her.
"We've got a surprise for you, Zach," called Rahab.
Zach motioned for everyone to stay still. He walked up to the window and peeked through it. On the sidewalk stood Ruth Ianos and a crocodilian-like monster. Quivering in Tiamat's shadow knelt Peter Thomas with a metal collar around his neck. Zach growled.
Rahab smiled. "I can see you, Zach. Those wards won't stop me or my brother. Come out. I will spare your friends. Come now, and save a lot of people the heartache of loss."
Zach turned away from the window.
"Don't."
"We can fight."
"Zach…"
Zach looked at Matt. "You need to get them out of here. Go to Magic School. Find some way to stop them."
"Zach, you can't…"
"They need me." He touched his chest. "It's got something to do with this, but I know they need me."
Rebecca opened her mouth and shook her head.
Zach smiled at her in gratitude. "They won't kill me, yet."
"Zachy, we're waiting!"
Zach wet his cracked lips. "Come rescue me when you can." He disappeared, and the sky lightened.
Rebecca ran to the window. "They're gone," she sobbed.
AN: So what did you think? I hope you enjoyed it. I know I left it on a cliffhanger of sorts, but I've got to get you to come back for the finale. As this is the second to last chapter I wanted to give a shoutout to ACharmedLover and D'Blacq. You guys are the best. Your words of encouragement help fuel my desire to finish the story. Thank you!
Here is to one more chapter done. I'll see you in the next one.
PS: Reviews are great in case you are wondering